AYUSH Ministry, WHO host Ambassadors' Reception ahead of 2nd Global Summit on Traditional Medicine

The reception was graced by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Ayush and Union Minister of State for Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, followed by the presence of Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, and Ambassador Sibi George, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs.

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Senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush and WHO also participated, including Dr. Catharina Boehme, Senior Advisor to the WHO Director-General and Officer-in-Charge, WHO SEARO, Ms. Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Dr. Poonam Khetrapal, Regional Director Emeritus, WHO South-East Asia Region, and Senior Advisor on Traditional Medicine to the WHO Director-General and Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla, Director, WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre.

The Chief Guest, Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav, stated while addressing the gathering, “This Summit represents another milestone in our shared pursuit of equitable, accessible, and evidence-based healthcare systems across the world. Traditional medicine is a repository of cultural identity, community wisdom, and humanity’s collective knowledge of nature and wellbeing, and the world has renewed its appreciation for integrative health approaches that combine traditional wisdom with modern medical science. Working closely with WHO and the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, we aim to strengthen research, enhance quality and safety standards, and ensure that the benefits of traditional medicine are available to all.

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, set the tone for the gathering with remarks underscoring global alignment around holistic and integrative health systems. Referring to the Summit’s theme, he stated, “ ‘Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Wellbeing’ reflects our commitment to holistic health and traditional medicine. India, in collaboration with WHO and global partners, is working to strengthen standards, advance research, and ensure quality assurance, and we are confident that this global dialogue will foster meaningful international cooperation.”

This was followed by a Special Address by Dr Poonam Khetrapal, Regional Director Emeritus, WHO South-East Asia Region, and Senior Advisor on Traditional Medicine to the WHO Director-General. She said, “Traditional medicine is an integral part of achieving Health for All. With 170 Member States reporting its use and global frameworks advancing, the momentum behind this sector is stronger than ever. The GTMC in Jamnagar and the Traditional Medicine Global Library represent vital steps toward evidence-informed, people-centred, and holistic healthcare for a healthier, more sustainable future.”

Ambassador Sibi George, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, emphasized India’s role in shaping global frameworks for traditional medicine and the international significance of the Summit. He said: “This gathering marks an important milestone in integrating time-tested healing traditions with contemporary scientific understanding. The shared vision of restoring well-being and balance reflects growing global recognition of traditional medicine in universal health coverage.

The Ministry of Ayush has strengthened these systems through research, pharmacovigilance, and global collaborations, including the WHO Global Centre in Jamnagar.”

Setting the broader context for the Summit, Dr Shyama Kuruvilla, Director, WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre, outlined the global landscape and emerging priorities. In her presentation outlining the plan of the summit, she mentioned, “The Summit aims to advance a global movement to restore balance for people and the planet, grounded in the science and practice of Traditional Medicine. Guided by the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 (World Health Assembly 78), the Summit will highlight the latest evidence and innovations and address critical issues.”

This was followed by a detailed Summit overview by Ms Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, who briefed delegates on expected participation, thematic tracks, key announcements, and partner engagements planned for December 2025.

The event concluded with Closing Remarks by Dr Catharina Boehme, Senior Advisor to the WHO Director-General and Officer-in-Charge, WHO SEARO. Said “Traditional medicine is not peripheral to global health—it is integral to realizing the vision of Health for All. We look to countries to champion high-level participation at the Ministerial Roundtable. As we move towards the Summit, let us renew our shared commitment to building accessible, affordable, inclusive, and evidence-based health systems.”

The Ambassadors’ Reception reaffirmed collective commitment toward strengthening international cooperation, advancing evidence-based traditional medicine, and shaping a global health ecosystem where traditional knowledge and modern science work in synergy. The Ministry of Ayush encouraged all missions to facilitate active participation from their respective governments at the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in December.

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